Maryam Abacha, the widow of former Nigerian military ruler General Sani Abacha, has said there is no evidence that her husband looted public funds while he was in power.
She spoke on Politics on Sunday, a TVC programme hosted by Femi Akande. In the interview, Mrs. Abacha said the accusations against her husband are based on false information and no solid proof.
“Who is the witness of the monies that were being stashed? Did you see the signature or evidence of any money stashed abroad? And the money that my husband kept for Nigeria, in a few months, it vanished. Why are you blaming somebody?” she asked.
Over the years, several reports claimed that General Abacha looted billions of dollars and hid them in foreign accounts. But Mrs. Abacha denied these claims and said her husband worked for Nigeria.
She also addressed the annulment of the 1993 presidential election, saying it was wrong to blame her husband.
Mrs. Abacha said, “The annulment was not done by my husband. And if it was him, then that means he was more powerful than the President at the time. That means Abacha was the greatest.
“But I’m not here to talk about Babangida or anybody. All I know is that my husband didn’t do it.”
Also Read:
- Pastor Paul Adefarasin Denies Holding Gun in Viral Video
- Police Search for Judge’s Wife Accused of Burning and Starving Maid, 14, in Abuja
Mrs. Abacha urged Nigerians to stop judging each other based on ethnicity or religion.
“Why are we so bad towards each other? Because someone is a Northerner or Southerner? A Muslim or a Christian? It’s not fair,” she said.
She also expressed concern about Nigeria’s security challenges, especially the long-lasting insurgency in the North.
“I don’t know why insurgents have lingered this long. Other smaller nations have tackled theirs. We are bigger, richer, and more experienced,” Mrs. Abacha said.
Mrs. Abacha said she believes in the Nigerian military and called for better teamwork between the military and the government.
“I know they have what it takes to tackle the insurgents. If ECOMOG could bring peace to other countries, why can’t we have peace here?” Mrs. Abacha said.
Speaking about her time as First Lady, she said Nigeria needs policy continuity to achieve long-term progress.
“Every government comes with its own programs. But if there is no continuity, there will be no progress,” she said, mentioning the Africa First Ladies Peace Mission as one of her lasting legacies.
She ended the interview by asking Nigerians and the media to be more patriotic and responsible.
“Let’s pray for our country. Let’s be good to our leaders and say good things. The press should be truthful and help build the nation, not destroy people’s reputations,” Mrs. Abacha concluded.